Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 15:03     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
We live in Mclean, just over from the Arlington border and only about 5 minutes from Chain Bridge. There are a lot of houses in this area in your price range. You get a good size house and lot and excellent schools (arguably better than those in Arlington but I won't open that can of worms). Check out Chesterbrook Woods, Chesterbrook Farm and Chain Bridge Forest.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 15:01     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Rosslyn
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:57     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.



PP above. Just took a look at the listings you mentioned and can't help laughing. Even in Oakton and Reston, which would provide hellish commutes, they're listed over $1.5 M. My cousins have lived in McLean for decades and have homes like this--mainly through rolling over the equity in their prior homes. These types of homes in McLean are also easily over $2M. Where we are in Arlington just the lot itself (about 1/8 acre) is $500K. So, for 1/2 an acre, the land alone would come to $2M (excluding the property itself).
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:51     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.

Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:36     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Something like this would be good - not on a busy road, quick hop to Glebe (and Chain Bridge or Lee Hwy), great schools and a good playground nearby.
http://frankly.com/AR8692603
The facade's a little odd on this one, but you can't beat the neighborhood and the proximity to Chain Bridge (and Lee)
http://frankly.com/AR8695036
George Mason Dr is not especially busy between Rock Spring/Little Falls and Williamsburg:
http://frankly.com/AR8689481
Gorgeous interior, great schools, easy commute:
http://frankly.com/AR8685096
On Lorcom Lane, but a lovely home:
http://frankly.com/AR8679461
Great neighborhood, lovely porch:
http://frankly.com/AR8663333
Here's one that looks like the houses posted earlier:
http://frankly.com/AR8662612
This one is huge and has an elevator!
http://frankly.com/AR8648645
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:26     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
For the most part, those are not Arlington style houses, and certainly not under $2M. 1/2 acre is also really rare, so if those two things are important then you want to look more in McLean. In that price point you might look in Country Club Hills which is right off of Glebe Rd south of Chain Bridge in Arlington. The gorgeous area around Rock Spring and Old Dominion Drive, or some of the neighborhoods off of Military which would take you to Spout Run to the Key Bridge or to Glebe and the Chain Bridge.

I live in Arlington and love those neighborhoods, although they are all out of my price range unfortunately.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:22     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
There are houses like that in DC, they are just not in your price range. I do not think they are in your price range in Arlington or McLean, either, though.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:20     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, I live in DC and love it. Why is that not an option? We do send our kids to public schools and are really happy with that choice (haha, not a choice--we couldn't afford private. But their school is excellent). If you are really trying to shorten your commute, you should think about living in the city.


We like houses that look like this. I don't think the houses in DC look like this.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/va/oakton/0-stuart-mill-road/pid_459462/?utm_campaign=OLDP-Zillow&utm_source=zillow&utm_medium=oldp&utm_content=listing

http://www.gulickgroup.com/homes/signature-series/winthrop.html


If you want houses that look like that, especially with any kind of yard, you'll need to go to McLean.


I really love that second home with the white brick.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:19     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, I live in DC and love it. Why is that not an option? We do send our kids to public schools and are really happy with that choice (haha, not a choice--we couldn't afford private. But their school is excellent). If you are really trying to shorten your commute, you should think about living in the city.


We like houses that look like this. I don't think the houses in DC look like this.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/va/oakton/0-stuart-mill-road/pid_459462/?utm_campaign=OLDP-Zillow&utm_source=zillow&utm_medium=oldp&utm_content=listing

http://www.gulickgroup.com/homes/signature-series/winthrop.html


If you want houses that look like that, especially with any kind of yard, you'll need to go to McLean.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:17     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:The problem with moving to palisades is that the OP would have to become a DC resident (very UNprestigious). Better to remain a citizen of the Commonwealth.


We live in Alexandria now. It is very unprestigious. I could care less about prestige. We want a short commute, good public schools and a large, newer home in a safe friendly neighborhood.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:15     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
The problem with moving to palisades is that the OP would have to become a DC resident (very UNprestigious). Better to remain a citizen of the Commonwealth.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:14     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, I live in DC and love it. Why is that not an option? We do send our kids to public schools and are really happy with that choice (haha, not a choice--we couldn't afford private. But their school is excellent). If you are really trying to shorten your commute, you should think about living in the city.


We like houses that look like this. I don't think the houses in DC look like this.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/va/oakton/0-stuart-mill-road/pid_459462/?utm_campaign=OLDP-Zillow&utm_source=zillow&utm_medium=oldp&utm_content=listing

http://www.gulickgroup.com/homes/signature-series/winthrop.html


Our kids enjoy going to the Reston Zoo. Whenever we drive around that area, we love the brick homes with 3 car garages. I believe this area is Vienna.
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 14:11     Subject: Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:OP, I live in DC and love it. Why is that not an option? We do send our kids to public schools and are really happy with that choice (haha, not a choice--we couldn't afford private. But their school is excellent). If you are really trying to shorten your commute, you should think about living in the city.


We like houses that look like this. I don't think the houses in DC look like this.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/va/oakton/0-stuart-mill-road/pid_459462/?utm_campaign=OLDP-Zillow&utm_source=zillow&utm_medium=oldp&utm_content=listing

http://www.gulickgroup.com/homes/signature-series/winthrop.html
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 13:55     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Should be an interesting discussion, N Arlington vs. McLean; I don't believe that we've tackled this topic before.


I find it refreshing when new topics like this are brought to DCUM's attention. LOL.

How long until the Yorktown pyramid is mentioned?


You just did it, boss.


OP wants good public schools with short commute to Georgetown. They're gonna get mentioned, sorry!
Anonymous
Post 08/03/2015 13:54     Subject: Re:Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?
Anonymous wrote:OP, we live about one mile from the Chain Bridge in N Arlington. We moved here from Georgetown. It's a straight shot from the Chain Bridge to Canal Rd. Traffic can obviously complicate things, but you should make the trip in the AM and see for yourself. We bought here because it was so close to our previous life in Georgetown and we visit friends there often. Off peak, you can make it in 10 minutes.
We have been thrilled with the public options for our DC--Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown. N Arlington has many fine schools, though, so this is not the only pyramid you should look at.


+1 you must be right near me. My experience with timing is the same. Every once in a while, there's a real snarl, but its a very good option to commute downtown. Georgetown would be even easier.